Rundle Mall's offering is set to extend even further, with a multimillion-dollar entertainment and dining precinct set to open in Rundle Place.
Funlab announced its plan to redevelop more than 2,200sq m of space at the former Harris Scarfe site where it will offer Strike Bowling, Archie Brothers Cirque Electriq games arcade, and an immersive interactive game experience not unlike an escape room called Hijinx Hotel.
Alongside Funlab's entertainment offerings there will be a 1,500sqm dining precinct featuring up to seven restaurants and bars.
Rundle Place Archie Brothers Cirque Electriq: Supplied
Adelaide Economic Development Agency (AEDA) Executive Manager Rundle Mall Andrew White says the precinct on level one will provide locals and visitors alike with a unique experience dissimilar to anything else in the state.
Mr White says the Mall's new addition will give people a reason to visit more and stay longer.
"It is going to be a transformational entertainment and dining precinct; it is a gamechanger for the Mall and our shoppers are going to love it," Mr White says.
"We have been undertaking quite a comprehensive project to understand what consumer behaviours are and, what it has shown, is that people are screaming out for that entertainment experience — they want a full day to night offering.
"We know Rundle Mall is the best place to do your shipping, but it is also going to be the best place to hang out, have a bite to eat and have some fun.
"There is a level of appetite for something like this."
Rundle Place dining render. Supplied.
Fortius Funds Management, which is now part of Growthpoint Properties Australia, and Irongate Group own Rundle Place.
Rundle Place's level one has most recently been used as a flexible exhibition space, hosting the Australian premiere of The Plastic Bag Store during the 2021 Adelaide Festival and Michaelangelo's Sistine Chapel: The Exhibition in 2022.
Fortius Funds Management Funds Executive Director Sam Sproats says the precinct will extend Rundle Place's appeal from just fashion and services.
“It is a significant project that continues our repositioning of the centre and kickstarts Rundle Mall’s night-time economy, becoming the retail strips first and only true after-hours attraction," Mr Sproats says.
“We are pleased to welcome Funlab’s first major South Australian attraction to Rundle Place and expect shoppers, visitors and tourists are going to really enjoy their three brands.
“You can come to Rundle Place, park in our adjacent carpark, have lunch in the lower ground food court, shop at more than 20 premium retail brands on ground floor, and then go upstairs for a night of fun and fine food at Entertainment Place and the new dining precinct.”
Ainsworth Property is managing Rundle Place leasing and is focused on attracting high-quality local and interstate food and beverage offerings.
Rundle Place has welcomed a number of new tenants recently including lululemon, which opened just last week, Nude Lucy, Dawn Patrol, Kintaro, CnB Chicken and Burger, Dumpling 100 express, and FOAM Café.
Meanwhile, M.J. Bale and Aquila have relocated and Kookai moved into a new flagship store.
Hijinx Hotel Picture. Supplied
About Funlab
• Strike Bowling –not your average tenpin bowling alley, Strike Bowling turns down the lights
and cranks the fun with high-energy music bringing a party atmosphere to the bowling alley.
• Hijinx Hotel – an immersive themed interactive escape room and game experience housed
within the theme, wonder and theatre of a quirky New York style hotel where the rooms are
reimagined into fun and experiential game-afied rooms.
• Archie Brothers Cirque Electriq – a dazzling, delightful spectacle for all ages, bringing
together a kaleidoscopic circus of cocktails, arcade and ticket games that gives old fun, new
life.